Russia had threatened to use the veto against a British draft resolution to extend the mandate of the UN mission in Libya for another year, AFP quoted diplomatic sources as saying.

According to the AFP, the Russian threat came in protest against the language used in the document, in which it demanded the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.

The First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyansky, said that Russia seeks to continue its search for solutions acceptable to all parties for the outstanding issues related to the mission's work.

The United Nations Security Council voted in its session Wednesday to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until the end of September 30, as a technical rollover, since its task was due to expire on Wednesday morning.

The Russian diplomat indicated that the UN Security Council's decision to extend the UN mission's mandate in Libya was to allow council members to find common ground on the work of the UN mission in the coming complex stage of the political process in Libya.